MLB Player News

Mayo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

With Ryan Mountcastle drawing a start at first base and Gunnar Henderson getting a day off from playing shortstop but remaining in the lineup as the Orioles' designated hitter, Mayo will be the odd man out of the lineup. Mayo had started in each of Baltimore's last six games and went just 2-for-23, bringing his batting average down to .184 for the season.

Duran is batting eighth and playing second base in Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Duran will remain in the lineup for the fourth time in five games and will be occupying the keystone for the second day in a row. With super-utility man Josh Smith likely to see most of his playing time at shortstop moving forward due to Corey Seager (appendectomy) being potentially lost for the season, Duran could end up emerging as the Rangers' primary option at second base. Duran has been productive at the plate throughout August, slashing .328/.349/.410 with no home runs and three stolen bases through 20 games on the month.

Kurtz (oblique) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

The 22-year-old had an MRI come back clean Saturday, but he'll still be held out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. Manager Mark Kotsay indicated Saturday that Kurtz should be back soon but didn't provide a target date. Tyler Soderstrom is filling it at first base, with Carlos Cortes starting in left field.

Bernabel (knee/quadriceps) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Bernabel exited Saturday's 4-3 loss due to a knee and quad bruise, and he'll be held out of the lineup for the series finale as a result. The 23-year-old should be considered day-to-day while Kyle Farmer receives a start at first base.

Kavadas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Kavadas started the previous two games but will head to the bench for Sunday's series finale in Houston. Oswald Peraza is starting at first base and batting ninth against Astros righty Hunter Brown.

Wagaman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Wagaman has heated up in August with an .868 OPS over 23 games, but he's seen only 74 plate appearances on the month and is still stuck in a part-time role. He'll hit the bench for the second time in the Marlins' last three matchups against right-handers, but Wagaman should have a regular spot in the lineup versus left-handed pitching.

Gonzalez will start at second base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Gonzalez will stick in the lineup for a fourth straight game, occupying the keystone for the first time during that stretch as Nathaniel Lowe returns from the paternity list. Though Gonzalez has been at his best against left-handed pitching this season with a .977 OPS in 122 plate appearances, he's been serviceable against righties with a .273/.296/.414 slash line over 135 PAs. The Red Sox could prioritize Gonzalez over David Hamilton at second base until Wilyer Abreu (calf) returns from the injured list, which would push Ceddanne Rafaela to the infield on a more frequent basis.

Santana agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Santana won't join the Cubs ahead of Sunday's game in Colorado, but he's expected to be activated prior to Monday's home game versus Atlanta. The 39-year-old switch hitter was cut loose by the Guardians on Thursday after he had produced a career-worst .649 OPS with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases across 455 plate appearances. The Cubs won't have regular playing time available for Santana, but he could prove to be an upgrade over Justin Turner (.598 OPS in 166 plate appearances) as the short-side platoon mate at first base for the left-handed-hitting Michael Busch.

Busch went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rockies.

Busch tallied his second straight two-hit game at Coors Field, and he also delivered his fourth triple of the season in the victory. The Chicago first baseman continues to feast against right-handed pitching, posting a .279/.359/.547 slash line in 362 at-bats. Due to his strong platoon splits, Busch is the Cubs' regular leadoff man against righties, but he often hits the bench against southpaws.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Reds.

Contreras notched his sixth 20-homer season with a 431-foot blast in the seventh inning. The homer snapped a 1-for-21 skid over six games, coming after the 33-year-old went deep in his previous three contests between Aug. 20 and 22. On the year, he's slashing .253/.338/.449 with 20 long balls, 74 RBI, 66 runs scored and four steals across 526 plate appearances.